Punjab Government has recommended a tranche of eight Projects worth Rs 1000 crore to the National Bank of Agriculture and Rural
Development (NABARD) for assistance during the current Financial Year
(2010-2011), after the formal approval of Sardar Parkash Singh Badal,
Chief Minister, Punjab.

Disclosing this here today Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal, Finance
Minister, Punjab said that a Project worth Rs.124.50 core has been
recommended for setting up Low Cost Sanitary lavatories in the rural
areas. With a view to increase the efficiency of the Bhakra Main Canal
System, lining of watercourses measuring 1824 kilometers, with an
outlay of Rs.180.20 crore has also been proposed.

In order to augment the road connectivity, the State Government has
recommended an ambitious Project with proposed investment of Rs.
251.19 crore for strengthening and construction of new roads and
bridges in the State. This is apart from the Projects being undertaken
by the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) out of its own
funds, said Mr. Badal.

The central piece of the Punjab NABARD Project envisages an Integrated Development in the Kandi Areas of the State, with a proposed out-lay of Rs.364.75 crore. This Project involves construction of nine new dams and rehabilitation of the Water Distribution System of the five existing low dams, he added.

He also said that an outlay of Rs. 29.51 Crore has been suggested for
up-gradation of 1000 Veterinary dispensaries and Hospitals, while
Rs.14 Crore has been earmarked for the Laboratory equipment in 351
Rural Secondary Schools. In order to check water-borne diseases,
especially in the southern districts of Punjab, a Project worth Rs
64.59 Crores has been proposed for installation of dual-filtration /
ultra-filtration in five districts, where the water supply is based on
canal water, said Mr. Badal.

The overall Project also includes Rs. 22.68 Crore for Micro-irrigation
Projects for all the districts in Punjab.

Mr. Badal said that the effective rate of interest on NABARD Loans is
6%, owing to the appropriate subvention of interest by the Reserve
Bank of India. The State share of 15% of the Project size would be
provided by the State Finance Department out of its budgetary
resources.

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